During an interview on July 2 about the effectiveness of coronavirus prevention methods, Dean Blumberg, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, and William Ristenpart, a professor of chemical engineering at UC Davis, said research shows that the virus is spread by two primary methods: aerosol particles and droplets. And, according to their findings, someone wearing a mask is more protected against the barely visible droplets that are expelled when someone talks than someone who isn’t. “Wearing masks decreases the risk by 65 percent,” Blumberg said. “Everyone should wear a mask,” he added. “People who say, ‘I don’t believe masks work,’ are ignoring scientific evidence. It’s not a belief system. It’s like saying, ‘I don’t believe in gravity.’” Blumberg also explained that maintaining social distance and taking activities outdoors or into well-ventilated areas is also crucial for stopping the spread, since lighter aerosol particles we can’t actually see can linger in the air and infect others. “People who don’t wear a mask increase the risk of transmission to everyone, not just the people they come into contact with,” Blumberg said, referencing how carriers spread the virus by talking, breathing, and coughing into the air.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb “You’re being an irresponsible member of the community if you’re not wearing a mask,” he added. “It’s like double-dipping in the guacamole. You’re not being nice to others.” RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. The scientists also concluded that the combination of a face mask and social distancing made for the most effective way to protect against COVID-19, with Blumberg noting that “social distancing reduces the risk of transmitting the virus by 90 percent.” And for more on who is transmitting coronavirus, check out This Is Who’s Transmitting Over 50 Percent of COVID Cases, Study Finds.
